Whatever some people may wonder and second guess about this decision, the bottom line is no matter how great or important a project may be, there is a limit to how long your life can be on hold for such a thing.

Mr. Del Toro -- thanks for all you gave to the effort. While it surely is a very sad moment for most of us, including myself, I'm sure it is saddest for you in ways we can only imagine.

The way this is going, who knows? Maybe you'll complete a few other projects and find yourself free again by the time The Hobbit ever gets a green light, though admittedly, as fans, we certainly have to hope things will work out much sooner than that.

Meanwhile, to us your name will always be in the credits no matter what -- though surely you will make it there more literally anyway, given all you've contributed.